Binding properties of different categories of IDO1 inhibitors: a microscale thermophoresis study

Aim: Inhibition of IDO1 is a strategy pursued in the immune-oncology pipeline for the development of novel anticancer therapies. At odds with an ever-increasing number of inhibitors being disclosed in the literature and patent applications, only very few compounds have hitherto advanced in clinical settings. Materials & methods: We have used MicroScale Thermophoresis analysis and docking calculations to assess on a quantitative basis the binding properties of distinct categories of inhibitors to IDO1. Results: Results shed further light on hidden molecular aspects governing the recognition by the enzyme of compounds with different mechanism of inhibition. Conclusion: Results pinpoint specific binding features of distinct inhibitors to IDO1 that offer clues for the design of next-generation inhibitors of the enzyme.